Finance & Administration

The mission of the Finance and Administration division is to provide the best possible customer service and support to students, faculty and staff to assist in achieving their career and educational goals. We accomplish this by ensuring the financial health of the institution, providing a safe, secure and innovative learning environment, and operating in a collaborative and compassionate manner with the campus community.

The Office of the Vice President for Finance and Administration provides management oversight and coordination for all key financial and administrative functions, which impact the daily activities of students, faculty, and staff across the institution.

BUSINESS AFFAIRS

The Business Affairs department is responsible for supporting the academic mission of the University by providing timely and accurate financial and administrative services, including: Finance, Accounting, and Accounts Payable Human Resources and Payroll Student Billing and Cashier’s Office.

We are located in the Martha Goodrich Administration Building.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

The Accounts Payable staff is responsible for timely payments to vendors for goods and services as well as reimbursements to individuals for University related business expenditures. Checks are disbursed once a week on Fridays. Approved invoices must be received by noon on Thursday to be included in Friday’s disbursements.

HUMAN RESOURCES & PAYROLL

Northwest Christian University operates on a monthly pay cycle, with pay periods running from the 26th of the month through the 25th of the following month. Pay dates are on the first day of each month; if the first falls on a weekend or holiday, the pay date will be the next business day. We encourage our employees to enroll in direct deposit.

The following benefits are available for full-time faculty and staff. These are only summaries—benefits are subject to their respective policies as defined in the NCU Employee Handbook and are subject to change at the discretion of the NCU Board of Trustees.

Health Insurance

Voluntary Dental and Vision Insurance

Voluntary group dental insurance is available to eligible employees and their dependents at the employee’s expense. NCU offers two plans: a base level plan and a buy-up. Voluntary vision insurance is also available to eligible employees for a low monthly premium.

Eligible employees must enroll within the first 30 days of employment or during the annual open enrollment period.

Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)

NCU has established a Section 105 Health Reimbursement Account Plan to assist eligible employees with deductible and co-insurance expenses.

Employees sign up for the plan and elect their anticipated out-of-pocket healthcare and/or dependent care expenses for the year. Each paycheck, their election is deducted on a pretax basis and is available for reimbursement. Eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses are then submitted for reimbursement; benefits cards are also available which can bypass the reimbursement process for transactions under a certain amount.

Eligible employees must enroll within the first 30 days of employment or during the annual open enrollment period.

Voluntary Long-Term Disability & Life Insurance

Voluntary long-term disability and life insurance plans are available at employees’ expense.

Eligible employees must enroll within the first 30 days of employment for guaranteed enrollment; employees who do not enroll during the first 30 days will be subject to the carrier’s standard eligibility requirements.

Retirement

Northwest Christian University offers several retirement savings options. In addition to the base contribution by the University, employees may make additional pre-tax contributions (subject to IRS limits); NCU will match a portion of additional contributions.

Sick Leave, Vacation, and Holidays

Sick Leave
Exempt and non-exempt regular full-time and part-time employees, full-time faculty and some employment contract employees earn sick leave for each month worked. Accumulation of sick leave begins the first full month of qualified employment.

Vacation
Certain classifications of employees receive a vacation allowance to provide time away from the job for renewal and rejuvenation. They are encouraged to use the hours earned. Student employees, salaried and hourly temporary employees, seasonal, 9, 10, or 11-month faculty and part-time instructors/adjuncts are not eligible for vacation. Newly hired employees may not take paid vacation during the first six months of employment, although vacation accrues during this period.

Holidays
Employees who hold positions classified as regular part-time, full-time faculty, non-exempt regular full-time, and exempt regular full-time receive paid time off for various holidays. If a holiday falls on a Saturday, the Friday preceding will be observed as a non-working day; if a holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday following will be observed as a non-working day.

Tuition Benefit

Northwest Christian University offers tuition benefits to all full-time employees, their spouse, and their dependent children. This benefit is available at the beginning of the second year of full-time employment.

Other Services and Benefits

This is a general list of benefits currently offered by NCU and is subject to change without notice.

STUDENT BILLING & CASHIER'S OFFICE

STUDENT BILLING

Below is a list of general student billing policies. For additional information regarding tuition, fees, fines, and other policies and charges, please refer to the Course Catalog.

Payment Obligation

It is the responsibility of the student and their family to meet the financial obligation associated with attendance at NCU. Students are strongly encouraged to submit payment or set up a payment plan for their anticipated balance two weeks before the beginning of classes. The balance is determined by semester and will be calculated by subtracting all applicable financial aid and payments from the semester’s charges (tuition, fees, room and board).

All new students are required to complete a Payment Intent Agreement and a Financial Responsibility Agreement that allows you to determine your anticipated balance for the academic year and provides methods for making payment. Students should not wait for an official bill from NCU before calculating balances or making payments.

Billing Statements

Billing statements are offered as a service to students and families. Your first statements for both fall and spring semesters will be sent to the permanent address NCU has on record before classes for each semester begin. This statement will have Anticipated Semester Financial Aid as listed on the award letter as well as semester charges for tuition and other related expenses, such as room and board. Financial aid will not be officially credited to the student’s NCU account until after the add/drop period for registration (typically two weeks from the start of the semester) has ended.

New billing statements are printed on the 20th of each month for unpaid balances as well as for any additional or adjusted charges that create a new balance. Payments are due on the 1st of the following month and include a 5-day grace period. Payments received after the 5th of the month are considered late. Late payments are subject to an interest charge of 1.5% per month. Statements are sent each month and new interest accrues until balances are paid. Students with delinquent accounts will be held from registering for the next semester until any balance is paid or a payment plan is developed.

Students are responsible for all unpaid balances whether or not they have received a paper bill from NCU. The student is required to ensure that the Business Office has an accurate and up-to-date billing address on file. Returning students can view their account detail on MyNCU using their login ID and password.

Payment Methods

Any remaining balance on a student’s account can be paid in several of the following methods:

Cash payment Cash payments can be made with the Cashier in the Business Office (located on the first floor of the Goodrich Administration Building)

Check or money orderChecks or Money order payments should be made out to Northwest Christian University (or NCU) and given to the Cashier or mailed to 828 E. 11th Ave. Eugene, OR 97401.

Debit Card PaymentsDebit card payments can be made in person with the Cashier.

Credit card and ACH payments (“eChecks”) can be made online with ECSI (our credit card processor). They accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diner’s Club, UnionPay, and JCB cards. Please note that credit card transactions are assessed a fee by ECSI, but there is no fee for ACH payments.

If you have any questions you can contact our Accounts Receivable Manager Darcy Nolte in the Business Affairs Office or by email at dnolte@nwcu.edu

Deposits

An advanced tuition deposit is required for students admitted for the first time to the University and must be submitted by May 1 for fall semester admission (December 1 for spring semester admission). This deposit is held on the student’s account and applied to his/her tuition expenses upon enrollment. The advanced tuition deposit is required in order to proceed with advanced class registration or housing arrangements. Full refunds are given for cancellations received in writing by the Admissions Office until May 1 for fall semester admission (December 1 for spring semester admission).

Tuition Refund Policy

Upon complete withdrawal or dismissal from the University, students, including veterans, receive a proportional refund for tuition. All student fees are nonrefundable, including but not limited to, music or private lesson fees, vehicle permits, application fees, etc. Until 60 percent of the semester is completed, the prorated refund applies and after that point no refunds will be given. For example, if the student withdraws in the fifth week of the 15 week semester, the refund would be 33 percent.

All academic withdrawals must be processed in accordance with the policy of the University. Refunds are based on the date of initial contact made with an appropriate school official. Students who do not meet the financial conditions of the University can be administratively withdrawn from their courses at the discretion of the Student Services Office.

In order to complete an academic withdrawal, a student must first contact the vice president for student development to perform an exit interview and sign the withdrawal form. The student then takes the signed form to the Student Services Office to be processed. If students fail to contact the vice president for student development and perform the appropriate withdrawal steps, the student may be charged a fee of $100.

Refund of Residence Hall Room and Board

Refer to the residence hall contract or the director of residence life for the housing refund policy. The vice president for student development will set any termination penalties required by the contract.

Single Course Drops

No refunds will be made for single courses dropped after the add/drop period is closed for the semester. Each student is charged in full for all courses listed on their registration at the close of registration each semester. See the Academic Calendar for dates for the close of registration.

Account Collections

If NCU needs to pursue collection efforts, reasonable attorney fees and collection costs may be added to the account whether or not an action is filed. If an action is filed, the prevailing party is entitled to recover attorney fees and court costs.

The student’s official transcript remains the property of NCU and will not be issued until all amounts owed the University, including accounts receivable, notes, loans, and other amounts, are paid in full.

CASHIER

The University Cashier is responsible receiving and safeguarding all payments and deposits made to the University. This includes payments for registration fees, housing, parking permits and citations, transcripts, donations, rental fees, and other miscellaneous payments.

The Cashiers Office is located in the Goodrich Administration Building, Room 101. Cashier hours are 8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday.